feel

1 of 2

verb

felt ˈfelt How to pronounce feel (audio) ; feeling

transitive verb

1
a
: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality
She felt the fabric to see if it was wool.
b
: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)
He felt a sudden pain in his leg.
2
a
: to undergo passive experience of
continually felt the resentment of his competitors
b
: to have one's sensibilities markedly affected by
felt the insult deeply
3
: to ascertain by cautious trial
usually used with out
feeling out the sentiments of their neighbors on the subject of school improvements
4
a
: to be aware of by instinct or inference
feel trouble brewing
b
: believe, think
say what you really feel
5
US slang : to understand (someone) : to know how (someone) feels
Yeah, I feel you on that. I fall asleep every time I'm in the car as well.Scott Sugarman
When you buckle your chinstrap up, it's with a purpose, dog! Do you feel me?Eric Berry

intransitive verb

1
a
: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation
lost the ability to feel in his fingertips
b
: to search for something by using the sense of touch
She felt in her purse for her keys.
2
a
: to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition
I feel sick.
b
: to have a marked sentiment or opinion
feels strongly about it
3
: seem
it feels like spring today
4
: to have sympathy or pity
I feel for you

feel

2 of 2

noun

1
2
: the sense of touch
3
a
: the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch
b
: typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere
also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere
4
: intuitive knowledge or ability
Phrases
feel like
: to have an inclination for
feel like a walk?

Examples of feel in a Sentence

Verb He felt a sudden pain in his leg. I could feel the warmth of the sun. I felt someone tap my shoulder. Do you feel a draft? She felt the fabric to see if it was wool. Your ribs are bruised, but I don't feel any broken bones. Noun the feel of old leather Although the table is brand-new, it has the look and feel of an antique. He liked the feel of the sun on his face. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Today, in the Lower East Side, Peter Do’s first vision for Helmut Lang made the audience feel. Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 9 Sep. 2023 These days, many people feel only gay actors should play gay people, only disabled people should play disabled people, only Jewish people should play Jewish people, etc. Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023 As luck would have it, the man sitting next to her, similarly, seemed to not feel like talking either, to Taylor’s relief. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 8 Sep. 2023 Not to mention, the chocolate brown suede feels like the ideal neutral for fall. Megan Schaltegger, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2023 Commercial toys often have flat eyes that may need to be remade with felt. Marissa Evans, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2023 Last year, temperatures hit around 106 degrees, which in comparison made the rain feel like a reprieve. Katie Bain, Billboard, 8 Sep. 2023 Some works feel conclusive, while others fail to resolve, but each is an invitation to look on and on. Angelica Aboulhosn, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Sep. 2023 An acknowledgment will help you to feel less lonely and invisible. Amy Dickinson, Anchorage Daily News, 27 Aug. 2023
Noun
The artist also incorporates text into some of her portraits, giving them immediacy and a poster-like feel. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 8 Sep. 2023 The home’s age-old feel also means nothing in the house is too precious. Rhonda Reinhart, Country Living, 8 Sep. 2023 Reviewers love the ease of assembly and sturdy feel of this bed. Jamie Ballard, Woman's Day, 8 Sep. 2023 Archival airport photography and contemporary artwork by local artists, including custom mugs from Central Virginia's Acorn Studio, lend a local feel. Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2023 The crew-length socks are knit from polyester, viscose bamboo, and elastane, lending a lightweight feel and a buttery-soft texture. Maria Conti, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Sep. 2023 Many neighborhoods surrounding downtown feel idyllic: young families on walks, diners sharing tacos on picnic benches, wildflowers pouring out of gardens attached to colorful bungalows. Story Hinckley, The Christian Science Monitor, 5 Sep. 2023 Our editors also appreciated their nice sound quality and their comfortable feel. Micki Wagner, Popular Mechanics, 5 Sep. 2023 The perforated upper, padded ankle and tongue, and pretty much the entire sole provide the feel of a top-end running sneaker. Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 5 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'feel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan; akin to Old High German fuolen to feel, Latin palpare to caress

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of feel was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near feel

Cite this Entry

“Feel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/feel. Accessed 23 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

feel

1 of 2 verb
felt ˈfelt How to pronounce feel (audio) ; feeling
1
a
: to sense through direct contact
especially : touch entry 1 sense 1
b
: to examine or test by touching : handle
2
b
: to suffer from
3
: to discover by trying carefully
often used with out
4
a
: to be aware of
feel trouble brewing
b
: to be conscious of a physical or mental state
feel happy
feel sick
5
: to search for something with the fingers
6
: to seem especially to the touch
feels rough
7
: to have sympathy or pity
I feel for you

feel

2 of 2 noun
1
: the sense of touch
2
3
: the quality of a thing as indicated through touch
4
: intuitive knowledge or ability
a feel for languages

Medical Definition

feel

1 of 2 verb
felt ˈfelt How to pronounce feel (audio) ; feeling

transitive verb

1
: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality
felt the compress to see if it was wet
2
: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles)

intransitive verb

1
: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation
2
: to search for something by using the sense of touch

feel

2 of 2 noun
1
: the perception of physical sensations
especially : the sense of touch
2

More from Merriam-Webster on feel

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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